Tree Surgeons Brixton Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which tree surgeons in Brixton provide arboricultural services to residential and commercial clients. By making a booking, accepting a quotation, or allowing work to begin, the customer agrees to these terms. They are intended to create clarity around the service process, pricing, safety, cancellation rights, liability, and the handling of green waste and related materials.

For the purpose of these terms, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the service provider, and references to “you” or “the customer” mean the person, business, landlord, agent, or organisation instructing the work. Where one party arranges work on behalf of another, that person confirms they have authority to do so and accept these terms on behalf of the site owner or responsible occupier.

These terms are written for general service use and are not a guide, not technical instructions, and not a substitute for professional advice. Each tree surgery job is unique and may involve factors such as tree species, access, weather, nesting wildlife, underground services, or third-party property. Accordingly, the scope of work may need to be adjusted for safety or compliance reasons.

1. Booking Process

Bookings for tree surgery services are usually made after an initial enquiry and, where necessary, a site assessment. The quotation provided may be based on photographs, video, measurements, or an on-site inspection. Any estimate is valid only for the period stated in the quotation and may be revised if the condition of the tree, site access, or customer instructions change before work starts.

When you accept a quotation, you are confirming that you understand the proposed work, the assumed site conditions, and any limitations noted in the quote. Acceptance may be made verbally, in writing, or electronically. A booking is not confirmed until we have accepted the instruction and, where required, received a deposit or other advance payment. Work dates are offered subject to availability, weather, and operational constraints.

Site Information and Access

The customer must provide accurate information about access, parking, boundary lines, overhead lines, tree ownership, tree preservation orders, conservation area status, and any known risks. If the site includes shared access or shared ownership, you must ensure that any necessary permissions have been obtained before the appointment. We may refuse to start work if the information provided is incomplete or misleading.

2. Scope of the Work

The agreed service will be limited to the tasks listed in the quotation or subsequent written agreement. Tree surgeons Brixton may carry out pruning, crown reduction, crown lifting, deadwood removal, dismantling, stump grinding, hedge maintenance, or clearance work, depending on the scope agreed. Any additional work requested on the day will be treated as a variation and may incur extra charges.

We will take reasonable care to perform the work professionally and in accordance with accepted arboricultural practice. However, living trees are subject to natural variation, and outcomes can differ from appearance-based expectations. Minor differences in shape, density, or residual height do not necessarily amount to defective work if the agreed scope has been completed.

Where a tree is diseased, unstable, structurally compromised, or affected by decay, hidden defects, or root disturbance, we may recommend a different method of work than originally discussed. If the customer chooses not to accept the revised method, we may suspend or cancel the job if continuing would create an unacceptable risk.

3. Payments

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment terms will be stated on the quotation or invoice. Some jobs may require a deposit before a date is reserved, particularly where specialist machinery, waste disposal, or subcontracted support is needed. The balance is normally due on completion of the work, although larger projects may be billed in staged payments.

All prices are stated in pounds sterling and may be subject to VAT where applicable. Quotations are based on the information available at the time and assume reasonable access and normal working conditions. If the scope expands due to customer request, unforeseen obstruction, or additional safety measures, the final invoice may include a revised amount reflecting the extra labour, equipment, or disposal costs.

Payment must be made by the method agreed in advance, and any bank charges, transfer delays, or payment processing fees imposed by the customer’s payment provider are the customer’s responsibility. We reserve the right to suspend work, withhold final clearance, or retain materials where payment is overdue, subject to applicable law.

4. Cancellations and Rescheduling

If you wish to cancel or reschedule a booking, you should give reasonable notice. Cancellations made after a site visit has taken place, or after resources have been allocated, may result in a cancellation fee to cover administration, travel, scheduling loss, or wasted preparatory time. If specialist equipment has already been committed to the job, additional costs may apply.

Where access is unavailable on the agreed date, or the work cannot proceed because the customer has failed to secure permissions, remove obstructions, or disclose relevant site conditions, the appointment may be treated as a late cancellation. In such cases, we may charge the cost of the wasted visit or offer a new date subject to availability.

We may also need to reschedule due to unsafe weather conditions, mechanical breakdown, staff illness, emergency work, or other events outside our reasonable control. In those circumstances, we will aim to offer an alternative date. We are not responsible for indirect losses arising from a lawful rescheduling where the reason is safety-related or beyond our control.

Consumer Rights

If you are a consumer and you agree to the service at a distance or off-premises, you may have cancellation rights under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, unless an exemption applies, such as urgent work requested by you to be carried out on a specific date. Any notice of cancellation should be made clearly and as soon as possible.

5. Customer Responsibilities

The customer must ensure that the work area is reasonably clear and safe, including restricting access by children, pets, visitors, and unauthorised persons. You must also take reasonable steps to protect items that are especially fragile or valuable. Although we will work carefully, tree surgery commonly involves falling timber, debris, vibration, sawdust, and movement of equipment.

You are responsible for identifying any special concerns before work begins, such as underground utilities, irrigation systems, wildlife habitats, weak structures, hidden buildings, or shared fences. If there is a legal requirement to notify neighbours, leaseholders, freeholders, or managing agents, it is your responsibility to do so unless we have expressly agreed in writing to assist with that process.

The customer must not instruct us to carry out work that would be unlawful, unsafe, or outside our competence. If we believe a request could breach planning controls, tree protection rules, or health and safety obligations, we may decline the instruction or pause the service until the matter has been resolved.

6. Liability

We will use reasonable skill and care in delivering our tree surgery services. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law. Subject to that, our liability is limited to the direct loss or damage caused by our proven failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.

We are not liable for pre-existing defects, hidden decay, latent structural issues, subsurface root conditions, natural shedding, seasonal movement, or failures caused by factors outside our control. Trees are living organisms, and even well-executed work may not prevent future decline, storm damage, disease, or regrowth. The customer accepts that arboricultural services involve inherent risks that cannot be eliminated entirely.

We are not responsible for damage caused by inaccurate information supplied by the customer, unforeseeable site conditions, third-party interference, or the actions of persons other than our staff or approved subcontractors. We do not accept liability for loss of profits, loss of business, loss of use, or other indirect or consequential losses, to the extent permitted by law.

7. Waste, Timber, and Environmental Regulations

Unless otherwise stated in the quotation, any agreed disposal of arisings forms part of the service. This may include branches, leaves, brash, stump material, sawdust, and similar green waste. Larger timber may be left on site, stacked, chipped, or removed depending on the scope agreed and the practical constraints of the job. Ownership of waste transfers only where the service terms expressly state that removal is included.

We will manage waste in accordance with applicable environmental and waste-handling requirements, including the duty to ensure that waste is transferred only to authorised facilities or carriers where required. We may reuse, recycle, compost, chip, or otherwise process suitable material in a lawful manner. Green waste is handled separately from general household waste wherever operationally appropriate.

If timber, soil, or arisings are to be left on site, the customer is responsible for their storage, use, or further disposal after completion unless we have agreed otherwise. We do not guarantee that all waste will be removed if the customer changes the agreed disposal arrangement after work has started. Any hazardous material, including contaminated waste or non-vegetative debris discovered during the job, may require a separate disposal method and additional charges.

Permits and Restricted Materials

If the site or the material requires special handling, transport, or disposal permissions, the customer must disclose this before the appointment. We may suspend work if waste classification appears uncertain or if continuing would risk non-compliance with environmental regulations. We reserve the right to amend the method of removal where needed to stay compliant with law and best practice.

8. Insurance and Risk

We maintain insurance cover that is appropriate for the nature of the services provided, including public liability cover and, where relevant, employer liability cover. Evidence of insurance may be made available on request. However, insurance does not replace the customer’s duty to provide truthful information, secure permissions, or maintain a safe site.

Before work begins, you should notify us of any known hazards or sensitivities, such as nearby conservatories, glass roofs, utilities, delicate planting, or neighbouring property at risk of impact. We may use barriers, ropes, cranes, climbing equipment, or machinery as needed. In some cases, the safest method may be more invasive or more costly than the customer originally expected, and the customer agrees that safety takes priority over convenience.

If an accident, near miss, or property damage occurs, the customer must allow us a reasonable opportunity to investigate and document the incident. Failure to preserve the affected area, remove debris too early, or instruct others to alter the scene may affect our ability to assess liability properly.

9. Variations, Delays, and Force Majeure

We may need to vary the method, sequence, or timing of work due to weather, equipment availability, staff safety, tree condition, or compliance requirements. Any material variation will normally be discussed with the customer before proceeding, but where urgent safety concerns arise, we may act immediately to prevent damage or injury.

10. Complaints and Disputes

If you have a concern about the service, you should notify us promptly and provide a clear description of the issue, together with any relevant photographs or other evidence. We will review the matter in good faith and, where appropriate, may offer a return visit, corrective action, partial refund, or other reasonable remedy. Any complaint must be raised within a reasonable time after completion of the work.

We aim to resolve disputes informally where possible. Nothing in this clause limits your statutory rights. However, where a dispute concerns subjective expectations about the appearance of a tree after a lawful and properly completed service, we will assess the matter against the written scope of work rather than personal preference alone.

11. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction, except where mandatory consumer law provides otherwise. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder will continue in full force.

By booking tree surgeons Brixton, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms. They are intended to establish a fair and professional basis for work, while allowing for the practical realities of arboricultural services, safety obligations, waste regulation, and the unpredictability of living trees.